Ante Post Betting – English Premier League – Part 2
Premier League Betting – Team Analysis
Welcome to Part 2 of our Premier League Betting Analysis for each team. Today, and over the next few days, we'll highlight the major changes, transfers and insights for each of the 20 premier league sides, along with our best bet per team on the season-long markets.
(If you missed Part 1 – you can read it here)
– Chelsea
Maurizio Sarri has arrived at Chelsea with a new approach. ‘Sarriball’ as touted by the Chelsea faithful, the Italian is looking to bring sharp attacking football back to Stamford Bridge. Jorginho looks to be the perfect signing; a deep-lying midfield player at his very best, using the ball perfectly to supplement the Chelsea attack.
Movement in the market is still expected for the Blues. Thibaut Courtois is expected to make a move to Real Madrid, with Chelsea attempting to keep hold of wingers Willian and Eden Hazard. Gonzalo Higuain is touted as a possible addition, along with Matias Vecino, however, Chelsea already look solid enough to mount a title challenge with the omission of Champions League football.
Reverting back to 4-3-3 is expected to underline Chelsea’s defensive strength. Azpilcueta is back to right back duties, with Rudiger, Cahill, Luiz and Christensen fighting for the central roles. Whether Marcos Alonso can adapt to a more traditional left back role may be of concern.
Title odds: 14/1
Chelsea still lack depth all over the pitch as we approach the start of the season; whether this hampers their title credentials will perhaps be seen in March/April. The lack of Champions League football is often cited as a benefit, however, it’ll be interesting to see how Sarri approaches the Thursday night Europa League games. Chelsea will be exciting this season; 14/1 is hard to ignore for a side who has won two of the last four league titles, three in five may be a Bridge too far.
– Crystal Palace:
Since their return to the top flight five seasons ago, Palace have diced with death all too regularly. Escaping relegation with a game to spare last season, Roy Hodgson has nurtured a free-flowing attacking side who are more than capable of pushing towards the top half of the league this campaign.
Vicente Guaita is the only signing of note for the Eagles. The goalkeeper has gained invaluable experience between the sticks at Valencia and Getafe over the past ten years; a move to the Premier League at 31 years of age may be the perfect timing in his career.
Wilfried Zaha will continue to be Palace’s marquee player. If the South Londoners struggle for form again this campaign, it will be hard to keep the sharks at bay in the January transfer window; Zaha has potential to be world class.
To finish in the top half: 15/8
Palace play exciting football at times, worthy of a competitive push up the table if Hodgson can enable a positive start. The bunched nature of the bottom half of the Premier League should enable the Eagles to kick on with a focus on games at Selhurst Park.
– Everton:
The Toffees are an unknown entity coming into this new season. A surprise package, led by new manager Marco Silva, Everton may – finally – break into the top six.
Richarlison looks to be a great signing, and despite the huge transfer fee, the Brazilian will no doubt provide the lack of creativity that Everton suffered from last season. Silva managed him at Watford last season and will no doubt know how to use deploy the youngster to reap the most rewards.
Cenk Tosun is expected to benefit the most from the Richarlison signing; the Turkish striker looked unplayable in small purple patches towards the end of the season.
With Sam Allardyce out and Silva in, the Everton faithful will feel positive when contemplating what this season could yield. It’s time the Merseysiders had a proper run at the top six.
To finish in the top 6: 7/2
Everton fans will have backed this market for the past few seasons, however, this campaign looks the most likely to break into the self-titled ‘top six’. Creativity in the final third should enable Everton to rack up the goals; Marco Silva is the right man for the job and is renowned for over-performing.
– Fulham:
Premier League new boys Fulham will be looking to bring their free-flowing, attractive style to the top tier. Slavisa Jokanovic’s side gained unrivalled plaudits for their attacking philosophy last season, with possession football being at the heart of what the Cottagers do so well.
In Ryan Sessegnon they have one of the brightest stars in world football; keeping hold of the youngster will be a tricky assignment as he is flung into the spotlight of the Premier League. The signings of Alexander Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle will bolster the attack of Jokanovic’s side who love to press on the front foot. Mitrovic was only a loanee last season, but was instrumental in Fulham’s promotion.
Jean Michael Seri has also joined for a whopping fee of £27 million. The 26-year-old midfielder was due to join Barcelona a year ago, however, disappointing for Nice in the season that followed has led the Ivorian to lower his sights. Seri is expected to flourish in the heart of the Fulham midfield; a dominant season will no doubt put him back on the radar of Europe’s biggest sides.
To avoid relegation: 2/5
Not the most tempting price at 2/5, however, Fulham look set for a decent spell back in the top flight. Attractive football coupled with exciting, experienced signings is a steady formula to follow.
– Huddersfield Town
How the Terriers avoided relegation last season is still a mystery to most. Invaluable points gained against the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Watford towards the end of the season allowed David Wagner’s side to survive by four points. Just nine wins in the Premier League will need to be built on it Wagner is to keep his side afloat, avoiding ‘second season syndrome’.
Radaman Sobhi has made the switch from relegated Stoke this summer, with the Egyptian winger looking to live up to the £5.7 million price tag. The 21-year-old got limited game time at Stoke last season, however, the youngster is highly touted as being a player to watch this season; whether Huddersfield’s system will cater for the Egyptian is yet to be seen.\
Ben Hamer, Terence Kongolo, Erik Durm, Adama Diakhaby and Juninho Bacuna have also signed for the Terriers this summer, however, goals are what is required if Wagner is to do the ‘impossible’ once again.
To be relegated: 11/10
With two of the three promoted sides looking likely to perform well next season, Huddersfield are left vulnerable as a side in danger of the drop. They need points on the board quickly, or we could see Wagner’s side loitering at the foot of the table for a majority of the season. 11/10 shows value for a side lacking fire-power.
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Freelance sports writer, sports data analyst and content creator; Lewis has provided some of the biggest names in the betting industry with written content and betting tips over the past seven years. Specialising in football, boxing, and darts, his eye for detail – as well as value – has seen him yield a significant profit as BetVictor's darts tipster. Lewis co-authored the Football Advisor World Cup Stats Betting Pack